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With over 60 years of history in the thoroughbred industry, there have been plenty of highlights over the last six decades. Here we take a look at some of the most memorable moments that have shaped Haunui’s history and helped to outline a path to continued success.
Haunui Farm purchased in Whitford with a view to the family moving from Matamata to establish a small boutique stud farm together with a working sheep and cattle farm.
First yearling bred at Haunui Farm sold at the Trentham sales through Trelawney Stud was by Marco-Polo out of Foxona, subsequently named Matauwhi, a winner of six races including two stakes placings.
Purchased foundation mare Foxona from Peg Chitty’s late parents Ernest and Winifred Schofield who had been racing horses for many years.
Geoff and Peg started purchasing fillies from the Trentham Sales to race and eventually breed from. The first purchase was Collynic (Khorosan – Psalm) who after winning three races retired to stud. She produced three stakes winners – Strong Bow and Valaisan, both by Zamasaan and, Sir Kinsman by Alcimedes.
Hilldale (Pride of Kildare – Foxona) became the first Group One performer for Haunui when narrowly beaten in the Railway Handicap. Hilldale notched 15 race wins and was subsequently sold to the race in the USA.
A large sheep and cattle farm was purchased in Pukekawa to be run in conjunction with the Whitford property.
Hillwood (Pundit – Daydream), purchased as a yearling, wins the G3 Northern Foal Stakes and was sold to race in the USA.
Rosehill (Test Case – Foxona) became the first Group winner bred and raced by the family.
Brookby Hill (Sobig – Ngatawa) wins the first racing of the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes.
Brookby Hill wins both the Desert Gold and Gold Trail Stakes and named Top-Weight three-year-old filly of the Year.
Karayar purchased and syndicated to become the first stallion to stand at Haunui Farm.
Rosie’s Girl (Zamazaan – Rosehill) wins the Waikato Guineas for Geoff and Peg Chitty.
Geoff Chitty died suddenly leaving a small, select band of mares and two exciting young stallions - Karayar and Ruling – all testament to his great judgement of bloodstock.
Ron Chitty makes his first investment in the stallion operation with Sea Anchor, a horse who was to leave an indelible mark over the next few racing seasons.
Haunui Farm graduate Silver Bounty (Karayar), became the first Group One winner to carry the HF brand taking out the G1 George Adams Handicap at Flemington. A big sale result with Haunui’s first six-figure yearling, Sovereign Edition – Eskimo Princess sold to South Africa.
Notable double Group One success for Haunui graduates, both by Sea Anchor. Beechcraft, the Caulfield Guineas and, Royal Regatta, the Australasian Oaks. Haunui begins a long association with the Moore family selling members of the illustrious Soliloquy family.
Annie Sarten sells her Papakura property and the “Belle” mares move to Haunui Farm. Haunui-bred filly La Souvronne wins the G1 AJC Oaks.
Haunui tops the Trentham Sales with a $750,000 colt by Sir Tristram – Kashmir Belle for Annie Sarten who went on to achieve a notable double with her three-year-old filly Tri Belle being crowned Filly of the Year.
Weston Lea (Sea Anchor) produced a commanding victory in the G1 2000 Guineas. Installed as a hot favourite for the Derby, he unfortunately shattered a pastern in an exhibition gallop demonstrating the highs and lows of our game.
What a year – a Derby double! Haunui Farm-bred and raced, The Gentry, wins the New Zealand Derby and is crowned Champion 3YO and the Annie Sarten-bred Wonder Dancer, wins the AJC Derby for T J Smith. Balciano (Balmerino) wins the G1 Metropolitan Handicap, Major Drive (Sea Anchor) wins the G1 Sydney Cup, Round The World (Sea Anchor) wins the G1 Queensland Oaks and, Trocane (Moss Trooper) wins the G1 Avondale Gold Cup. All six G1 winners were reared and sold by Haunui.
Banderol wins the G1 Sydney Cup, Heavenly Body wins the G1 South Australian Oaks, The Gentry the G1 Air NZ Stakes and Zamoff, the G1 QTC Sires’ Produce Stakes and, Fun on the Run wins the G1 Jarden Mile. Another five individual G1 winners.
Another Group One-winner for Haunui with Surfer’s Paradise (Crested Wave) winning the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton. He subsequently went on to win the New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie. Submariner (Sea Anchor) wins the G1 VATC Show Day Cup at Caulfield.
Surfer’s Paradise continued his winning ways with three further G1 wins – the Rosehill Guineas, the Air NZ Stakes and, the Cox Plate. Prince of Praise, bred by the Moore family and sold by Haunui, was successful in the ARC Sires’ Produce Stakes and Crush (Crested Wave) the G1 Goodwood Handicap.
Prince Of Praise won the G1 AJC All Aged Stakes and Cross Swords the G1 AJC Sydney Cup – both bred by the Moore family and prepared for sale at Haunui Farm.
International shuttle stallion Last Tycoon stands at Haunui Farm in conjunction with Ra Ora Stud.
Lord Ted (Lord Ballina – Manawa Belle), bred and sold by Haunui Farm wins the G1 ARC Sires’ Produce Stakes.
A great year for two of the finest mares to come off the farm with Fayreform and her trio of Group One wins culminating in the award of Champion Weight-for-Age title at the New Zealand Racing Awards and Marie Leicester’s (nee Sarten) Coogee Walk winning the G1 ARC Railway Handicap and claiming the Horse of the Year title as Champion Sprinter-Miler. In South Africa, Explosive Burst won the G1 Scotsville Gold Medallion for two-year-olds. Tobruk (Paris House – Jade Moon) claimed the G1 Bayer Classic for three-year-olds. August 1998 sees the beginning of the Ra Ora-Haunui Partnership, a partnership that along with Trelawney Stud brought international sire Soviet Star to New Zealand in 1999. International Group One-winner Starcraft was conceived from his one and only New Zealand-bred crop.
Honor Lap (Honor Grades – Presidents Pearl) completed a notable double winning the WA Derby and Oaks.
An outstanding yearling sale result with the Zabeel – Waihora’s Lass sold for $600,0000 the top-priced filly.
Perlin (Carnegie – Midnight Madam) landed his duo of Group One wins raced by Lloyd Williams. He is one of many Haunui graduates to carry the famous Williams colours to victory including Gallic, Activation and Legible. Railings (Zabeel – La Suffragette) became a dual Group One-winner of the Metropolitan Handicap and Caulfield Cup.
Further Group One success for Haunui graduates with Art Success, the Brisbane Cup, Mikki Street, the ARC Zabeel Classic and, Mission Critical the WRC International Stakes.
Haunui Farm sold million dollar yearlings on both sides of the Tasman matching Cambridge Stud as the only stud to do so. Gallic won the G1 AJC Sydney Cup.
Jungle Rocket wins the G1 New Zealand Oaks. 18th December, Haunui Farm, Whitford was purchased by Transpower and the property on Kidd Road, Karaka was bought. A two-year relocation period was put in place enabling all facilities, buildings and amenities to be completed.
Zabrasive, bred by Don and Rochelle McLaren and sold by Haunui Farm, wins the G1 STC Rosehill Guineas. Haunui Farm topped both the Select and Festival Sessions of the New Zealand Yearling Sales with colts by Elusive City. The colt out of Della Mimosa sold for $250,000 in the Select and named Adamantium is now a Group Three-winner and Group One-performer. The colt out of Wishing Belle topped the latter sale at $110,000. Named Really The Best, he is a multiple winner in Hong Kong. Iffraaj was crowned Champion First Season Sire of Europe setting a record for number of winners – 38.
Another session-topper at Karaka with Don and Wendy Pye’s colt by Pentire out of Sunshine Gold selling for $230,000.
The National Yearling Sales resulted in the top-priced filly for Haunui. $800,000 for the Zabeel –Destined, a half-sister to Fix (Iffraaj) taking out the title of NZB Filly of the Year. Haunui sold another session-topper in the William Inglis Easter Sale second session with the Street Cry colt out of Fashionable Lass making A$360,000. Iffraaj was crowned Champion Second Season Sire while Destined was voted Broodmare of the Year at the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Awards.
Haunui stallions Iffraaj and Showcasing dominated the age group sires tables of NZ. Showcasing sired Karaka Million winner Hardline from his first Southern Hemisphere crop. One of four stakes performers for Showcasing that season saw the young Haunui Farm stallion crowned Champion 2YO & First Season Sire. Not to be outdone, Iffraaj sired his first Southern Hemisphere G1 winner when Turn Me Loose dominated his rivals in the 2000 Guineas. 7 stakes performed 3YO's saw Iffraaj crowned Champion 3YO Sire.
Haunui Farm stallions quinella'd the Karaka Million with Xiong Feng taking the honours for Iffraaj whilst Showmeyamoneyhoney was runner-up for Showcasing. Showcasing 3YO Raghu landed that Karaka Million 3YO Mile. Haunui graduate Perfect Fit landed an overdue G1 victory for the farm winning the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes and at season's end, the Iffraaj and Showcasing finished #1 and #2 on the 2YO Sires Table.
Haunui's dominance of the Karaka Million continued with graduate Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) powering to victory. She also claimed the G1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes and the G2 BRC Sire's Produce Stakes in Australia and was named Champion 2YO of the season. Bred my Marie Leicester, she was joined in Champion status by Be Bee (NZ) (Showcasing) who was crowned Champion 2YO of SIngapore giving Marie a unique double as a breeder. Iffraaj landed two Derbies through the deeds of Gingernuts (NZ Derby) and Jon Snow (ATC Derby) with both 3YO's winning at the elite level in Australia. Haunui Farm produced 3 G1 winning graduates in 2017 - Melody Belle, Jon Snow and Bahana (NZ) (Elusive City) who won the Singapore Gold Cup.
The National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka saw Haunui emerge as the 3rd leading vendor on aggregate and average with 21 six figure yearlings from 38 sold. Showcasing sired his second G1 winner - 2YO colt Advertise - in Europe and further cemented his International appeal. Haunui Farm ended the 2017/2018 racing season with a total of 21 stakes performers including 13 stakes winners.